Container Holding Device

ABSTRACT

A beverage container holding device. The beverage container holding device may include a support structure and a receptacle. The support structure may include one or more upward extending members and one or more downward extending members. The receptacle may include a receptacle wall creating an interior portion and an exterior portion. The receptacle may further include one or more slots into which the upward extending member or members may be slideably inserted.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to a container holding device and more particularly relates to a beverage container holding device elevated by an upwardly extending member or members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Beverage container holding devices are generally known. Such beverage container holding devices are used for protection, insulation, or to increase stability and prevent spilling. Most beverage container holding devices are typically cylindrical with a closed base and open top so as to create an inner receptacle the size of the intended beverage container.

These known beverage container holding devices, however, may have several drawbacks. For example, beverage container holding devices that are constructed of rigid materials often may be cumbersome and have limited portability. Conversely, pliable receptacles made of “neoprene” or similar materials allow for compact storage and increased portability but may be unstable because of their light weight and flexible bases. There are occasions when it would be preferable to elevate the beverage off the ground. While sitting in a lawn chair, for example, existing beverage container holding devices are unstable on grass and may be inconvenient to reach. Additionally, elevating the beverage container reduces the chance of exposing the beverage to soil or insect contamination. Further, it also may be desirable to be able to remove the receptacle from such a support structure while still using it to hold the beverage container therein.

There is a desire, therefore, for beverage container holding devices that provide a stable receptacle so as to keep beverages elevated off the ground at a convenient height. The devices preferably should allow for convenient transport and storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application thus describes a beverage container holding device. The beverage container holding device may include a support structure and a receptacle. The support structure may include one or more upward extending members and one or more downward extending members. The receptacle may include a receptacle wall creating an interior portion and an exterior portion. The receptacle may further include one or more slots into which the upward extending member or members may be slideably inserted.

The support structure may include at least one horizontal member lying perpendicular to and connecting with a number of upward extending members. The upward extending member or members and downward extending member or members may lie in the same plane. The bottom end of the downward extending member or members may be sharpened to facilitate inserting them into the ground.

The receptacle may include a base that substantially attaches to the bottom of the receptacle wall. The slot or slots on the receptacle may be longitudinally aligned with the receptacle wall. ]he slot or slots may be constructed of a wall creating an interior portion and an exterior portion. The upper end of the slot or slots may be open, allowing for insertion of an upward extending member of the support structure. The bottom end of the slot or slots may be closed, preventing passage of an upward extending member of the support structure when slideably inserted.

The receptacle may further be constructed of pliable material, allowing the receptacle to conform to the shape of a container placed therein and allowing the receptacle to collapse substantially flat. The receptacle may further include two preformed creases equally spaced and running longitudinally, allowing the receptacle to collapse substantially flat. The receptacle may further include a base that is attached at opposite sides to the bottom end of the receptacle wall, allowing the base to lie substantially flat when the receptacle is collapsed flat. The base of the receptacle may further include a preformed crease bisecting the base.

The receptacle may further be constructed of a rigid material.

The receptacle may Further have insulation.

These and other features of the present application will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the several drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a beverage container holding device as is described herein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the receptacle of the beverage container holding device of FIG. 1 collapsed and lying substantially flat.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the beverage container holding device of FIG. 1 in use by being inserted into the ground and holding a beverage container therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 3 show a beverage container holding device 100 as is described herein. The beverage container holding device 100 includes a receptacle 110 in communication with a support structure 120. The support structure 120 may be driven into the ground, as in FIG. 3 creating a stable base on which the receptacle 110 rests at a height elevated from the ground.

The receptacle 110 may be cylindrical in shape as illustrated in FIG. 1. The receptacle 110 includes an interior portion 130 defined by a receptacle wall 140. The diameter of the interior portion 130 of the receptacle 110 may be the same diameter that will allow the desired beverage container to fit tightly therein. The receptacle 110 may have a closed or a substantially closed base 160 that allows the beverage container to rest on the interior portion 130 thereof. The receptacle 110 has an open top 170 through which the beverage container may be inserted.

The receptacle 110 may have one or more slots 180 attached to the exterior of the receptacle wall 140 and aligned substantially longitudinally. The slots 180 may be configured as an enclosed channel with open ends 190 on the bottom of the slots and closed ends 200 on the top of the slots. The inner diameter of the slots 180 may be of the same diameter as one or more upward extending members 220 of the support structure 120. The slots 180 communicate tightly with the upward extending members 220 as is illustrated in FIG. 3.

It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the slots 180 need not be affixed on the exterior of the receptacle wall 140. Rather the slots 180 may be integrated within the receptacle wall 140 running therethrough or they may be affixed on the interior portion 130 of the receptacle wall. Furthermore, the receptacle 110 may have at least the same number of slots 180 as the support structure 120 has upward extending members 220.

The slots 180 need not be configured as an entirely enclosed channel, as in FIG. 1, but also may be configured as an open groove (not illustrated). Slots 180 configured as an open groove may be used when the receptacle 11)0 is constructed of rigid material (described below) allowing the upward extending members 220 to “snap” or otherwise fit into the groove.

The receptacle 110 and the slots 180 may be constructed of pliable materials, such as “neoprene” or the like, or rigid materials, such as “styrofoam,” plastic, or the like. The receptacle 110 and the slots 180 may be constructed of reusable materials or disposable materials, such as paper, cardboard, or paperboard. Any type of material that will provide support for placing a beverage container therein may be used. The material from which the receptacle 110 is constructed may also have insulative characteristics so as to maintain the temperature of the beverage held therein.

In one embodiment the receptacle 110 may be constructed in a way that will allow it to collapse or lie flat as in FIG. 2. The receptacle 110 constructed of pliable material may assist it in collapsing. Additionally, the material may include two preformed creases 230 running longitudinally so as to provide natural folds about which the receptacle wall 140 may collapse. A collapsing receptacle 110 may include a circular base 160 that does not completely communicate with the receptacle wall 140, as illustrated in FIG. 2, so as to allow the receptacle 110 to lie flat when collapsed and support the beverage container held therein when expanded in use. The circular base 160 of a collapsing receptacle 110 also may include a preformed crease 240 intersecting the midpoint of the circular base 160 from each end that is not attached to the receptacle wall 140. The preformed crease 240 thus provides a natural fold about which the receptacle 110 may collapse.

In the present embodiment, the support structure 120 may include two upward extending members 220 over which the receptacle slots 180 may slide, a horizontal member 250 running parallel to and connecting the upward extending members 220 and a downward extending member 260 connected to the horizontal member 250 and extending opposite the upward extending members 220. The downward extending member 260 may be inserted into the ground. The downward extending member 260 may have a sharpened tip 270 that will facilitate inserting the support structure 120 into the ground. The support structure 120 may be constructed from a plastic material. Further, the plastic material may have properties that will allow it to break upon significant impact or force while still having adequate strength for supporting the receptacle 110 and the beverage container therein. The support structure 120 may be brittle so as to increase safe operation and reduce injuries that might occur, for example, if fallen on, stepped on, or poked by. However, it is appreciated that the support structure 120 may be constructed from materials other than plastic, such as metal, wood, or cardboard.

In yet other embodiments, the support structure 120 may include only one upward extending member 220 or it may include more than two upward extending members 220 with horizontal members 250 connecting each to the downward extending member or members 260 (not illustrated). Additionally, the support structure 120 may include a number of downward extending members 260 connected to a number of horizontal members 250 (not illustrated). It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the support structure 120 may be constructed with enough upward extending members 220, horizontal members 250, and downward extending members 260 so as to provide stable support for the receptacle 110 and to create a stable base in communication with the ground. The distal ends of the upward extending member or members 220 may be rounded or blunt to further increase the safety of the device. However, it is appreciated that the ends of the upward extending member or members 220 need not be rounded or blunt, and may be constructed in a manner that most effectively increases manufacturing efficiencies.

Although the present application has been described in terms of holding beverage containers such as bottle, cans, and the like, the present application is equally well suited to hold other objects. The present application thus is not limited to the use of such beverage containers.

It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to the preferred embodiments of the present application and that numerous changes and modifications may be made herein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims and the equivalents thereof, 

1. A beverage container holding device comprising: a support structure; a receptacle; wherein said support structure comprises at least one upward extending member and at least one downward extending member; wherein said receptacle comprises a receptacle wall creating an interior portion and an exterior wall; and wherein said receptacle comprises at least one slot into which said at least one upward extending member may be slideably inserted.
 2. The beverage container holding device of claim 1, wherein said support structure comprises at least one horizontal member lying perpendicular to and connecting with a plurality of said upward extending members.
 3. The beverage container holding device of claim
 1. wherein said at least one upward extending member and said at least one downward extending member lie in the same plane.
 4. The beverage container holding device of claim 1, wherein a distal end of said at least one downward extending member is sharpened to facilitate inserting said at least one downward extending member into the ground.
 5. The beverage container holding device of claim 1, wherein said receptacle further comprises a base that substantially attaches to a distal end of said receptacle wall.
 6. The beverage container holding device of claim 1, wherein said at least one slot is longitudinally aligned with said receptacle wall.
 7. The beverage container holding device of claim 1, wherein said at least one slot of said receptacle comprises a wall creating) an interior portion and an exterior portion; and wherein a distal end of said at least one slot is open allowing for insertion of said at least one upward extending member of said support structure; and wherein a proximal end of said at least one slot is closed preventing passage of said at least one upward extending member of said support structure when slideably inserted.
 8. The beverage container holding device of claim 7, wherein said receptacle comprises a pliable material allowing said receptacle to conform to the shape of a container placed therein and allowing said receptacle to collapse substantially flat.
 9. The beverage container holding device of claim 8, wherein said receptacle has two preformed creases equally spaced and running longitudinally allowing said receptacle to collapse substantially flat.
 10. The beverage container holding device of claim 8, wherein said receptacle comprises a base attached at opposite sides to a distal end of said receptacle wall allowing said base to lie substantially flat when said receptacle is collapsed flat.
 11. The beverage container holding device of claim 10, wherein said base of said receptacle has a preformed crease bisecting said base.
 12. The beverage container holding device of claim 1, wherein said receptacle comprises a rigid material.
 13. The beverage container holding device of claim 1, wherein said receptacle comprises insulation.
 14. A container holding device comprising: a support structure; a receptacle; wherein said support structure comprises a downward extending member; a horizontal member lying substantially perpendicular to and attached at the proximal end of said downward extending member; and two upward extending members lying substantially parallel to said downward extending member and substantially perpendicular to said horizontal member; and wherein said receptacle comprises a receptacle wall creating an interior portion and an exterior wall; and two slots into which the two said upward extending member of said support member may be removably attached.
 15. The container holding device of claim 14, wherein a distal end of said at least one downward extending member is sharpened to facilitate inserting said at least one downward extending member into the ground.
 16. The container holding device of claim 14, wherein said receptacle further comprises a base that substantially attaches to a distal end of said receptacle wall.
 17. The container holding device of claim 14, wherein said two slots of said receptacle comprises a wall creating an interior portion and an exterior portion; and wherein distal ends of said two slots are open allowing for insertion of said each upward extending member of said support structure; and wherein proximal end of said two slots are closed preventing passage of said each upward extending member of said support structure when removeably attached.
 18. The container holding device of claim 14, wherein said receptacle comprises insulation.
 19. The container holding device of claim 14, wherein said receptacle comprises a pliable material allowing said receptacle to conform to the shape of a container placed therein.
 20. The container holding device of claim 167 wherein said receptacle wall has two preformed creases equally spaced and running longitudinally; and wherein said base of said receptacle is attached at opposite sides to the distal end of said receptacle wall; and wherein said base of said receptacle has a preformed crease bisecting said base; allowing said base to lie substantially flat when said receptacle is collapsed flat. 